Product Description

This unique fan-shaped silver proof features Frédéric Chopin and three national symbols of Japan!

Issued by Poland at the Aichi International Coin Exposition in Japan in early 2005, this beautiful coin is unusual in both shape and topic. Form follows function as the oriental fan serves as the perfect tableau to both introduce and display the Japanese theme. All three of the national symbols of Nippon are depicted: the Bonsai Tree, the Rising Sun, and the imperial Cranes. A famous statue of Frédéric Chopin, pianist, composer, and Polish national hero, is also pictured.

Bonsai is the eastern art of miniaturization of trees by growing them in containers. Widely practiced in Japan, bonsai developed both its unique techniques and its philosophy after the introduction into Japan by Chinese imperial embassies in the ninth century.

The Land of the Rising Sun is epitomized by the Rising Sun flag, the military flag of Japan. It had been used as the ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army until the end of World War II. The design is similar to the national flag of Japan (a red circle, signifying the sun, in the middle of a white field), the difference being the addition of the red sun rays (16 for the naval ensign) exemplifying Japan as "The Land of the Rising Sun". Today the flag with 16 rays is the ensign of the Maritime Defense-Force while the Ground Self Defense-Force uses an 8-ray version.

The Crane is considered auspicious in Japan. It is one of the symbols of longevity and is often represented with other symbols of long life, such as the tortoise. In feudal Japan the crane was protected by the ruling classes and fed by the peasants. When the feudal system was abolished in the Meiji era of the 19th century, this protection was lost, and the population of red-crowned cranes dwindled to a handful. With effort they have been brought back from the brink of extinction. According to an old tradition (depicted in the first season of the television program Heroes), if one folds 1000 origami cranes one's wish for health will be granted.

The Chopin Statue in Lazienki ParkOn the reverse is a depiction of Chopin, based on the famous statue from Lazienki Park in Warsaw. This monumental bronze work, approximately 30 feet high, depicts the composer sitting placidly under a windswept tree, his cape blowing freely. This symbolizes the tumultuous nature of his life, the strum und drang of his emotions, and his fluid Romantic compositions. Frédéric Chopin is widely hailed as one of the greatest composers and pianists who has ever lived. Considered a national hero in Poland, his place of birth, his work is celebrated the world over. Please see below for a brief biography.

Unusually-shaped coins have been particularly attractive investment coins, and this fan-shape is the only one of its kind that we know of! This beautifully designed and engraved coin is a real attention-getter, with a relatively low mintage, and at our offering price represents a great value as well.

Obverse Three national symbols of Japan are shown: the Rising Sun radiating upward, with rays reminiscent of an oriental fan, a pair of cranes taking flight, and a miniature bonsai tree. The legend "EXPO 2005 AICHI" is also included to commemorate the occasion of the coin's release.

Reverse A close up of the Chopin statue from Lazienki Park in Warsaw, along with the Polish crowned white eagle, the national emblem of Poland. The date, of issue, denomination and the legend RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA ("Republic of Poland") are also indicated.

Frédéric Chopin Frédéric François Chopin (March 1, 1810  October 17, 1849) was a Polish pianist and composer. He is widely regarded as one of the most famous, influential and admired composers for the piano.

He was born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin in the village of Zelazowa Wola, Poland, to a Polish mother and French expatriate father. Hailed as a child prodigy in his homeland, Chopin left for Paris at the age of 20. In Paris, he made a career as a performer and teacher as well as a composer, and adopted the French variant of his name, "Frédéric-François". He had a turbulent 10-year relationship with the French writer George Sand from 1837 to 1847. Always in fragile health, he succumbed to pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 39.

Chopin's compositions, which are mainly for the piano, include his Funeral March (part of his second piano sonata but composed long before the other parts) and the twenty-four études and are widely considered to be among the pinnacles of the piano repertoire. Although some of his music is among the most technically demanding for the instrument, Chopin's style emphasizes poetry, nuance, and expressive depth rather than mere technical display. His works are often cited as one of the mainstays of Romanticism in nineteenth-century classical music.